THE CIGNAL HD Spikers rode on another explosive performance by import Ariel Usher to down the RC Cola-Air Force, 25-19, 24-26, 25-23, 25-17, and complete a sweep of the first round of eliminations in the 2015 Philippine SuperLiga (PSL) Grand Prix women’s volleyball tournament yesterday at the Cuneta Astrodome.
Usher, a gem of an import from Oregon, unloaded 29 kills and six service aces for a conference-high 36 points while her partner, Amanda Anderson, had nine kills and five blocks for 14 points.
Veteran Michelle Laborte chipped in 10 markers for Cignal, which is now regarded as the team to beat after flying under the radar before the season’s start.
After claiming the first two sets, the HD Spikers suddenly found themselves in trouble as Lynda Morales and the Raiders started to find their rhythm and threatened to extend the game to another set. From a 24-all count, Morales unloaded a booming kill from the left wing followed by a very long rally that led to an error by the HD Spikers that stretched the game to a fourth set.
It was all Cignal from there as Usher imposed her dominance in the firing end and exposed the sluggish backline defense of the Raiders. Anderson and Laborte also joined the fray as they erected a solid defensive wall on the net that left the Raiders bleeding for points.
The Raiders slid to the bottom of the standing with a 1-3 card.